Gaming device and method for playing game

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a gaming device having an interface for inputting a player-selected series of indicia chosen by a player and an output generator for generating a randomly-selected series of indicia. An actuator is provided for activation by the player to generate the randomly-selected series of indicia. The gaming device compares the player-selected series of indicia against the randomly-selected series of indicia to determine an outcome.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/852,296, entitled “GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FORPLAYING GAME,” filed on Oct. 17, 2006, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device and method forplaying a game and, more particularly, to a device and method forplaying a game allowing a player to pre-select a potentially winningoutcome.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the main goals of a casino is to maximize the length of time itscustomers play a particular game or games, since longer play generateshigher revenues for the casino. Thus, casinos are interested inmaintaining player interest and excitement, especially with regard togaming devices such as slot machines, which encompass a large portion ofthe casino's revenues and profits.

People are generally more likely to become frustrated with a casino gamein which they perceive wins and losses to be determined purely bychance, luck, or in some other way to be completely out of theircontrol. Given a choice, people are more likely to play a game in whichthey have an opportunity to predict the outcome. Therefore, a needexists for a gaming device that allows a player to input a prediction ofthe game outcome, such that the player is more likely to continueplaying for an extended period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gaming device having an interface forinputting a player-selected series of indicia chosen by a player and anoutput generator for generating a randomly-selected series of indicia.An actuator is provided for activation by the player to generate therandomly-selected series of indicia. The gaming device compares theplayer-selected series of indicia against the randomly-selected seriesof indicia to determine an outcome.

A method of playing a game is also provided comprising choosing aplayer-selected series of indicia, inputting the player-selected seriesinto a gaming device, and requesting a randomly-selected series ofindicia from the gaming device wherein said gaming device has an outputgenerator for generating a randomly-selected series of indicia andcompares the player-selected series against the randomly-selected seriesto determine an outcome.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The operation of the invention may be better understood by reference tothe following detailed description taken in connection with thefollowing illustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the game device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a method of playing the game device of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of an input series.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of an input series and a randomseries.

FIG. 5 is another exemplary illustration of an input series and a randomseries.

FIG. 6 is another exemplary illustration of an input series and a randomseries.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of aprocessor-based system for implementing a virtual game utilizing themethod of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a slot machine.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a slot machine style game device inan embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in accordance with theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 9. While some embodiments aredescribed with reference to a slot machine, it should be understood thatthe present invention can be used with other gaming devices, as will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 9, a gaming device 100 and a method forplaying a game are provided, both of which allow a player to pre-selecta potentially winning outcome for the game. Generally, the gaming device100 is capable of accepting a player-selected series of indicia 102(hereinafter referred to as the “input series”) chosen by a player,generating a randomly-selected series of indicia 103 (hereinafterreferred to as the “random series”), optionally displaying the randomseries 103, and comparing the random series 103 to the input series 102.If the random series 103 matches or partially matches the input series102, a payout may be provided.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a gaming device 100 is providedwith a display 105 such as a viewing window, video display (i.e., atouchscreen, a cathode ray tube, or a liquid crystal display), or thelike. The device 100 has an output generator for generating a randomseries 103 comprising, for example, a random indicium 127, 128, 129.Such output generators are known in the art and, for example, may be acomputer-based system (i.e., a processor-based system) or mechanicaldevice designed to generate a random series of indicia. Optionally, therandom series 103 may be displayed along a payout line 110. The “payline” or “payout line” 110 may be a line, box, or the like, thatindicates or otherwise identifies the random series 103. A player inputline 130 (hereinafter referred to as “input line”) may also be providedto display the input series 102. Although shown on display 105, it is tobe understood that the input line 130 may be provided anywhere on thedevice 100.

As used herein, the terms “indicia” and “indicium” are defined as anyone or more numbers, dates, letters, words, abbreviations, animations,videos, images, photographs, symbols, combinations thereof, and thelike. In one non-limiting illustrative example, the indicia may bestandard slot machine symbols, astrological signs, and the like.Although the random series 103 is illustrated as having only threeindicia 127, 128, 129, it is to be understood that the random series 103may comprise any number of indicia.

A player interface or input device 150 is provided to enable the playerto enter the input series 102. The player interface 150 may comprise akeyboard, a graphical user interface, a mouse or other pointing device,a microphone, a knob, buttons, a switch (including an electronicrespresentation of a knob, button, or switch), a touch screen havingtouch-sensitive areas, combinations thereof, and the like. The playerinterface 150 may also be used by the player to play the game (e.g., bymanipulating buttons to input the input series 102 and to direct theoutput generator to generate the random series 103) during or afterwhich one or more results are revealed. For example, the playerinterface 150 may be used to input the input series 102, payout amount,wager amount, odds, jackpot amounts, the number of random series 103,the number of indicium to be generated for the random series 103, thenumber of input series 102; to select the games or the payout value;make wagers; adjust wagers; or any other gaming decisions. As shown inFIG. 1, the player interface 150 may be a touchscreen device having aplurality of touch sensitive portions for inputting a variety of indicia149.

For example, the interface 150 may also include a “See Pays” button 156that, when activated, causes the display 105 to generate one or morescreens showing the odds or payout information for the game or gamesprovided by the gaming device 100. The interface 150 may also include a“Cash Out” button 157 that may be activated when a player terminatesplay, in which case the game may return value to the player, such as byreturning a number of coins or tokens to the player via a payout tray190.

An actuator 340, such as a handle, may be provided for the player toinitiate the generation of the random series 103. Alternatively, or inaddition, an actuator 340 may be provided on the player interface 150.For example, the actuator 340 may be a button, touch sensitive area on atouchscreen, or the like.

The game device 100 may include a housing or cabinet 170 and one or morevalue input devices 175, which may include, but are not limited to, acoin slot or acceptor, a paper currency acceptor, a ticketreader/printer, and/or a card reader (such as a credit card, debit card,smart card, and the like), which may be used to provide value to thedevice 100. The value input device 175 may include any device capable ofaccepting value from a player. As used herein, the term “value”encompasses gaming tokens, coins, paper currency, ticket vouchers,credit or debit cards, smart cards, or any other object representativeof monetary or pseudo-monetary value.

A ticket reader/printer 180 may be provided to read, print, and/orotherwise encode ticket vouchers (not shown). The ticket vouchers may becomposed of paper or any other printable or encodable material and mayhave information such as, but not limited to, the casino name, the typeof ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar code with control and/orsecurity data, the date and time of issuance of the ticket voucher,redemption instructions and restrictions, award description, and anyother information that may be necessary or desirable. Different types ofticket vouchers may be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers, cashredemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra game playticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant ticketvouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc.

The game device 100 may include one or more audio speakers 185 and/or acoin or ticket payout tray 190, among other items. The audio speakers185 may generate audio representing sounds such as, but not limited to,the noise of spinning slot machine reels, spoken words, music, or anyother audio commonly associated with a casino game.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an illustrative non-limiting embodiment of themethod of playing the game. In step 210, the player may optionally placea wager by betting an amount that is determined either by the player orthe house. As used herein, the terms “wager,” “wagering,” and “placingat least one wager” mean any physical or other representation or step ofplacing monetary or psuedo-monetary bets in a normal gambling sense,whether electronically or otherwise. It is to be understood that nomonetary wagering is necessary to play the gaming device.

In step 220, the input series 102 is chosen and input by the player andoptionally displayed at the input line 130. In step 230, the randomseries 103 is randomly generated by the output generator and displayedon the payout line 110. In step 240, the random series 103 and inputseries 102 are compared. Optionally, in step 250, payouts may be madefor any winning combination (i.e., where the random series 103 and theinput series 102 match exactly or partially) such as for an exact orpartial match. As used herein, the term “paying,” “payout,” and“payments” shall mean any physical or other representation or step ofpaying on a monetary or pseudo-monetary bet in a normal gambling sense,whether electronically or otherwise. It is to be understood that nomonetary payment is necessary to play the gaming device.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the gaming device 100 may allow aplayer to input the input series 102 that identifies a date. As shown,the indicia 115, 120, 125 of the input series 102 may indicate orotherwise represent a date that may include a month, a day of a month,and a calendar year. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the device 100 iscapable of randomly generating and displaying the random series 103having the indicia 127, 128, 129 indicating or otherwise representing amonth, a day of a month, and a calendar year.

It is to be understood that the months may be indicated or otherwiserepresented by indicia in random series 103 or input series 102 as analphabetic representation (i.e., January, February, March, and the like)including abbreviations (i.e., Jan., Feb., Mar., and the like), and/ornumbers corresponding to the months (i.e., 1-12). The days of the monthmay be identified or otherwise represented by indicia in random series103 or input series 102 as alphabetical or numerical representation ofthe days in a month (i.e., 1-31). The years may be identified orotherwise represented by indicia in random series 103 or input series102 alphabetically or numerically as the calendar years (i.e., 0-99,0000-9999, 2000 B.C.-2050 A.D., and the like). It is to be understoodthat the above-referenced examples are not limiting, as one of skill inthe art will appreciate that the month, day, and year may be representedin a variety of ways and/or combinations.

Accordingly, in one illustrative example, the odds of matching the monthare 1 in 12, the odds of matching the day are 1 in 31, and the odds ofmatching the year are 1 in 100. However, it is to be understood that theplayer, casino, or host operator may vary the odds.

It is to be understood that payouts may be made if the input series 102exactly or partially matches the random series 103. For example, if theinput series 102 is “Dec. 13, 06” and the random series 103 is “Dec. 13,06,” a payout may be made for an exact match. In addition, partialmatches may result in payouts. For example, if the input series 102 is“Dec. 13, 05” and the random series 103 is “Dec. 13, 06”, a payout maybe made regardless of the difference between one indicia 125 of theinput series 102 and one indicia 129 of the random series 103. Likewise,payouts may be made if one input indicia 115, 120, 125 matches onerandom indicia 127, 128, 129. For example, if one input indicia 115 is“Dec.” and one random indicia 127 is “Dec.” without any other matchingindicia, a payout may be made. In another example, if any of the indiciaof the input series 102 match any of the indicia of the random series103, a payout may result. It is to be understood that these examples arenot limiting and that one of ordinary skill in the art would envision avariety of payout schemes.

It is also to be understood that the payout amounts and odds may bevaried. In one non-limiting illustrative example, the payoff maycomprise 11:1 odds for a correct month, 29:1 odds for a correct date,and 99:1 odds for a correct year. However, it is to be understood thatthe owner or operator may set the payout amounts and odds for any suchmatches as desired.

In another illustrative example, a bonus may be awarded if the playerinputs the current day of the year, player birthday, holidays, culturaland/or historical dates as the input series 102, and matches (exactly orpartially) the randomly generated random series 103. Holidays with“fixed” dates may include, but are not limited to, set holidays such asChristmas, New Years Day, Veterans Day, Valentines Day, Halloween,Independence Day, and the like. “Floating” holidays may include, but arenot limited to, Thanksgiving, Easter, Labor Day, Presidents Day, and thelike. Cultural, historical, and/or other significant dates may include,but are not limited to, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the player'sbirthday, and the like. Where the player's birthday is selected/input,the birthday can be verified, for example, with an identification cardsuch as a driver's license.

It is also to be understood that payouts may be made if a random series103 exactly or partially matches the dates of holidays, birthdays,and/or cultural or historical significance, even if the input series 102does not match the random series 103.

To increase the odds of winning, the gaming device 100 may be capable ofallowing a player to choose and input more than one input series 102. Inan illustrative example, as shown in FIG. 5, a player may choose andinput a second input series 259 having (for example) indicia 276, 277,278 along a second input line 260. In another illustrative example, asshown in FIG. 6, the player may have the option of adding a secondrandom series 279 having (for example) indicia 281, 282, 283 along asecond payout line 280. Accordingly, a corresponding input series 299may be provided having indicia 301, 302, 303 (for example) along a thirdinput line 300. In one illustrative example, the player may be requiredto make an additional wager to obtain a second input series 259 and/or asecond random series 279. It is to be understood, however, that anynumber or combination of random series and/or input series may fallwithin the scope of the present invention.

Additionally, it is to be understood that the game device 100 and methodof playing may be adapted to a computerized format (i.e., aprocessor-based system) including, but not limited to, the Internet andservers, personal computers, and video games (e.g., a handheld gamingdevice). FIG. 7 is an illustrative schematic block diagram of anembodiment of a processor-based system 400 for implementing a virtual orvideo version of the game device 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. The system 400 comprises aprocessor 410, a program memory 420 storing the virtual game software425, a user interface 430, an image memory 440, a display controller450, and a display 460 (which in an illustrative example may be the sameas display 105).

The processor 410 interfaces to the program memory 420 and executes thevirtual game software 425. The user interface 430 (which in anillustrative example may be the same as player interface 150) connectsto the processor 410 to allow a player of the virtual game to selectvarious functional inputs of the game. The image memory 440 interfacesto the processor 410 to store the image data to be displayed. Thedisplay controller 450 interfaces to the image memory 440 to extractimage data from the image memory 440 in a controlled manner and toconvert the image data to video data. The display 460 interfaces to thedisplay controller 450 to accept video data from the display controller450 such that the video data is presented to a player on the display460.

The virtual game software 425 is the executable program used to run thevirtual game. The user interface 430 may comprise, for example, akeyboard, a mouse, microphone, a touch-screen (i.e., the user interface430 is combined with the display 460), push buttons, and combinationsthereof. The functional inputs controlled through the user interface 430include the ability, for example, to input the input series 102, amonetary amount per wager, and/or a wager, the ability to initiate thegeneration of the random series 103 (such as the ability to “spin” thereels of a slot machine); and the like.

In one embodiment (not shown), such a virtual version of the game device100 of FIG. 1 may be provided at an event attended by a plurality ofpeople, such as a ballgame, concert, movie, and the like. A display 460,such as a scoreboard, capable of displaying the random series 103 may beprovided. In a non-limiting example, a person in attendance at an eventmay be selected to choose and input a date including a month, a day of amonth, and a year (as the input series 102) as set forth above. In oneillustrative example, the person may input his or her birthday as theinput series 102. The person may input the input series 102, forexample, via a microphone, and the input series 102 may be displayed onthe scoreboard. The game device 100 may then generate the random series103 and display it. In one illustrative example, an actuator 340 isprovided, such as a button, handle, microphone, or the like, for theperson to initiate the generation of the random series 103.

As set forth above, if the random series 103 exactly or partiallymatches the input series 102, a payout may be provided to the person. Inan illustrative example, payouts may be made to any person in attendancewhose birthday exactly or partially matches the random series 103. Insuch an example, the birthday may be validated with a form ofidentification indicating the his or her birthday, such as a driver'slicense. It is to be understood that payouts may include, but are notlimited to, money, prizes, food, drinks, merchandise (i.e., jerseys,hats, team paraphernalia, and the like), tickets to upcoming events,coupons, and the like. In an illustrative example, the virtual game maybe a virtual slot machine or slot machine type of game, as describedbelow.

It is also contemplated that the game device 100 and method of playingmay be adapted to a slot machine or a slot machine-type apparatus.Generally, as shown in FIG. 8, a slot machine 319 has one or more reels320, 325, 330, each having a plurality of indicia 335 thereon. A playermay operate the slot machine 319 by pulling an actuator 340, such as ahandle, to spin the reels 320, 325, 330 to generate a random series 103that is displayed along the payout line 110. Typically, winning andlosing are determined when the reels 320, 325, 330 stop spinning and anindicium 335 from each reel 320, 325, 330 lines up along the pay line110 to provide the random series 103. The random series 103 is thencompared to predetermined winning outcomes 345, by methods known in theart, which are pre-defined by the machine manufacturer, casino, or hostowner-operators. The amount the player wins, or the “payout,” can bebased on numerous settings. For example, the payout may depend on thecombination of indicia 335 in the random series 103, as shown in the payschedule 350.

Unlike such conventional slot machines, the present invention allows aplayer to input the input series 102 to predict the winning outcome. Inone illustrative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the gaming device 100may be a slot machine or a device similar in nature to a slot machine.Generally, the slot machine 100 includes a display 105 for one or morereels 320, 325, 330 having a plurality of indicia 335 thereon. It is tobe understood that the reels 320, 325, 330 may be mechanical,electromechanical, or electronic (i.e., video or virtual) in nature.Accordingly, it is also to be understood that the display 105 may simplybe an opening or window that allows a player to view at least a portionof the mechanical reels, electromechanical reels, or the like.Similarly, as described above, the display 105 may be a screen capableof displaying virtual reels to the player.

As shown in FIG. 9, the reel 320 may have indicia 335 representing orotherwise identifying the twelve months of the western calendar year(i.e. alphanumeric names, abbreviations, or numerical designations suchas 1-12). Another reel 325 may have indicia 335 representing orotherwise identifying the days of the month (i.e., 1-31). Yet anotherreel 330 may have indicia 335 representing or otherwise identifying thecalendar years (i.e., 0-99, 0-9999, and the like).

Optionally, the player may begin playing the device 100 by making awager. It is to be understood, however, that the player does not alwayshave to make a wager to begin playing the game. The player may chooseand input the input series 102 comprising the input indicia 115, 120,125. As set forth above, the interface 150 is provided to enable theplayer to input the input series 102 and any other gaming decisions. Asshown in FIG. 9, the player input the month “June” for the inputindicium 115, the day “17” for the input indicium 120, and the year “31”for the input indicium 125, resulting in the input series 102 of “Jun.17, 31.”

An actuator 340, such as a handle, is provided for the player to spinthe reels 320, 325, 330 to generate the random series 103. It is to beunderstood, however, that other types of actuators 340 may be providedfor spinning the reels 320, 325, 330, such as buttons, a microphone, andthe like. As used herein, the terms “spin” and “spinning” shall mean anyphysical or other representation or step of reordering indicia togenerate a random series 103, for example on the payout line 110,whether electronically, mechanically, or otherwise. For virtual slotmachine devices, “spinning” causes images or videos of slot machinereels to begin “rotating” to simulate the appearance of a plurality ofspinning mechanical slot machine reels.

For example, the player may pull the actuator 340 to spin the reels 320,325, 330. It is to be understood that, after spinning, the movement ofthe reels 320, 325, 330 may stop simultaneously, or stop in anintermittent fashion. It is to be understood that the reels 320, 325,330 may stop at the same time or stop in a staggered fashion. It is alsoto be understood that the player may manually stop the movement of thereels 320, 325, 330 simultaneously or individually by, for example,pressing a button (not shown).

The random series 103 is provided when the reels 320, 325, 330 stopspinning, thereby providing the random indicia 127, 128, 129, forexample, along the payout line 110. As shown in FIG. 9, the randomseries 103 is “Dec. 31, 88” (“Dec.” for the random indicia 127, “31” forthe random indicia 128, and “88” for the random indicia 129). The device100 compares the random series 103 to the input series 102. As no exactor partial matches occurred, a payout may not be provided. However, inan illustrative example, a payout may be provided regardless, as therandom series 103 matched a holiday (i.e., New Years Eve). It is to beunderstood that one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate avariety of methods and combinations for awarding payouts.

In another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the reels 320, 325, 330may include the letters of the alphabet. Accordingly, the player maychoose and input the input series 102, such as a word. For example, theplayer may input the word “t e a m” (if a fourth reel, not shown, isadded). A payout may be provided if the random series 103 exactly orpartially matches the input series 102. In addition, payouts may also beprovided if the random indicia 127, 128, 129 of the random series 103spell a word, even if the random series 103 does not match the inputseries 102. In addition, payouts may be made if any random indicia 127,128, 129 of the random series 103 match any input indicia 115, 120, 125in the input series 102. It is to be understood, however, that theseexamples are not limiting and that one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that a variety of payout schemes and payout amounts for eachmay be used.

It is to be understood that, although three reels 320, 325, 330 and asingle random series 103 are shown, other combinations andconfigurations are contemplated by the present invention. In oneembodiment, a bonus reel (not shown) may be added so as to provide anadditional random indicia (not shown) in the random series 103. In anillustrative example, the random indicia generated by the bonus reel(and included in the random series 103) may be substituted (for example,by the player) for any other random indicia (for example, 127, 128, 129)to help the player obtain an exact or partial match to the input series102 or any other possible winning combination.

In another illustrative example, each reel 320, 325, 330 (and any otherreel) may also have a bonus indicia (not shown). In an illustrativeexample, the bonus indicia may be a wildcard that will result in anautomatic match to the input indicia corresponding to that reel,resulting in a possible payout. For example, if a player input “Dec.” asthe input indicia 115 of the input series 102 and a bonus indicia wasgenerated for the corresponding random indicia 127 of the random series103, a payout may be awarded for a partial match. In anothernon-limiting example, if a player input an input series 102 of “Dec. 14,08” and the random series 103 generated is “Dec. bonus 08,” a payout maybe awarded for an exact match. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldenvision a variety of scenarios where payouts may be awarded using abonus indicia.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoingdetailed description, it is to be understood that the present inventionis not to be limited to just the preferred embodiment disclosed, butthat the invention described herein is capable of numerousrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing fromthe scope of the claims hereafter.

1. A gaming device comprising: housing; an interface associated withsaid housing for inputting a player-selected series of indicia; anoutput generator associated with said housing for generating arandomly-selected series of indicia; and an actuator associated withsaid housing for activation by said player to generate saidrandomly-selected series of indicia; wherein said gaming device comparessaid player-selected series of indicia against said randomly-selectedseries of indicia to determine an outcome.
 2. The gaming device of claim1 further comprising a display associated with said housing fordisplaying said randomly-selected series of indicia.
 3. The gamingdevice of claim 2 wherein said display is capable of displaying theplayer-generated series of indicia.
 4. The gaming device of claim 1wherein said output generator comprises a processor-based device.
 5. Thegaming device of claim 4 wherein said processor-based device utilizes asoftware program for generating a randomly-selected series of indicia.6. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein said output generator is amechanical device.
 7. The gaming device of claim 6 wherein saidmechanical device comprises a plurality of slot machine reels.
 8. Thegaming device of claim 1 wherein said player-selected series of indiciacomprises a numerical or alphabetic representation of a calendar month,a day, and a year, or any combination thereof.
 9. The gaming device ofclaim 1 further comprising a value input device.
 10. The gaming deviceof claim 1 further comprising a user-observable device for identifying awinning outcome.
 11. A method of playing a game comprising: choosing aplayer-selected series of indicia; inputting said player-selected seriesinto a gaming device; and requesting a randomly-selected series ofindicia from said gaming device wherein said gaming device has an outputgenerator for generating a randomly-selected series of indicia andcompares said player-selected series against said randomly-selectedseries to determine an outcome.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising placing a wager on said game.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising determining a payout amount based on the outcome. 14.The method of claim 13 wherein said gaming device provides a payout ifsaid outcome is an exact match between said input series and said randomseries.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein said gaming device provides apayout if said outcome is a partial match between said input series andsaid random series.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein said gamingdevice is a slot machine comprising a plurality of reels, each reelhaving a plurality of indicia thereon.
 17. The method of claim 16wherein said step of requesting a randomly-selected series of indiciafrom said gaming device comprises spinning said plurality of reels. 18.The method of claim 16 wherein the gaming device comprises a stand alonevirtual slot machine.
 19. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein saidplayer-selected series of indicia comprises letters of the alphabet. 20.The gaming device of claim 1 wherein said player-selected series ofindicia comprises a numerical or alphabetic representation of a calendarmonth, day, and year, or any combination thereof.